Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

✦Key Features

• Budget: ₹2,400 crore (2021-26); focuses on 6 high-milk-yielding indigenous breeds
• Gokul Gram: integrated cattle development centre with 1,000 bovines
• E-Pashu Haat: national portal for indigenous breeds trading
• Sex-sorted semen: technology to produce 90%+ female calves
• Artificial insemination: 20,000 trained bull mothers; 50 lakh AI doses annually
• Kamdhenu Yojana: sub-scheme for indigenous breed improvement
• Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog: apex body for indigenous cow conservation

✓Eligibility Criteria

• State Livestock Development Boards, State Animal Husbandry Departments, and Livestock Development Agencies serve as the primary implementing agencies.
• Individual entrepreneurs, NGOs, and companies are eligible for specific components like the establishment of Breed Multiplication Farms.
• Rural youth and farmers can participate in the mission through training as Artificial Insemination (AI) technicians (MAITRIs).
• Cooperative societies and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) involved in cattle breeding and dairy activities can apply for infrastructure support.

★Benefits

• Financial assistance is provided for the conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds to improve milk productivity.
• Subsidies are offered for the establishment of Breed Multiplication Farms to ensure the availability of high-quality germplasm to farmers.
• The mission provides doorstep delivery of high-quality artificial insemination services through the training and deployment of MAITRIs.
• Promotion of sex-sorted semen and embryo transfer technology is funded to rapidly increase the population of high-yielding female calves.

▶Application Process

• Implementing agencies submit Annual Action Plans to the Central Government for approval and allocation of funds.
• Individual entrepreneurs must apply for Breed Multiplication Farm incentives through the dedicated National Livestock Mission/RGM portal.
• Applications are scrutinized by the State Level Executive Committee before being forwarded to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Selected beneficiaries receive training and technical support from central institutes like the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

₹ Budget Allocation

2400

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Government (for specific components like Gokul Grams and Breed Multiplier Farms).

Historical Context

Launched in 2014 to reverse the trend of indigenous breed dilution due to extensive cross-breeding with exotic varieties.